Erika (Cookie) get diaphragmatic hernia repair

Hi, I'm Ashley the director of Nikki's Ferals. We are a small 501c3 nonprofit organization. We primarily focus on TNR and we also socialize feral kittens and strays to find forever homes. We get alot of owner surrendered cats which is the case with Erika (Cookie)

Originally when she was found outside and the owner was located we thought we would just be assisting in spaying, vaccinated, and getting her microchipped. After she was returned home Nancy Clark (Board Member for Nikki's Ferals) who took care of her until the owner was found asked if we could get her a vet exam just to make sure she was OK because of how skinny she was and her rapid shallow breathing. The owner agreed and Nancy picked her up and took her in to our vet. That's when she was originally diagnosed with pneumonia. The owner for whatever reason thought it would be best if she stayed with Nancy until she was over the pneumonia. After a few days and she still hadn't used the litterbox and hadn't improved much she was taken back in to the vet and that's when we found out she may have a more serious problem. Erika went to her followup appointment the following Thursday. She will got another xray to check to see if the fluid in her lungs had improved. At first she was thought to have pneumonia but after further tests and additional xrays the vet thought she may have a tear or rip in the sac around her lungs that causes the sac surrounding her lungs to fill with fluid. So when she got out she was either attacked or hit by a car. Or possibly injured before she got loose. If that would have been the case it would have closed on its own in 7 to 10 days. Now she will need to go to a specialist. She was taken back in to the vet today (Oct 20th) and with xrays the problem was found. Unfortunately she has a diaphragmatic hernia. Our vet can not perform this surgery, but he reffered us to Buffalo Grove Specialty Center. She is very underweight and only weighed 4lbs at her vet appointment.

Unfortunately tho in the midst of all of her vet appointments and her recovering her owner has not responded or answered any messages. So has been abandoned with no communication calls and text messagesalong witha certified letter has been sent to her owner . This also means we will have to cover her existing bills. Which were $427, $125, and $184 for today So far her bills are up to $766. We have recieved about $250 in donations for her. We still need a little help covering the rest of her existing bill and on top of that the repair of the diaphragmatic hernia is estimates to be between $7,000 and $8,000. We are a small nonprofit organization and can not take this bill on alone. If we can raise even half of the bill we may be able to save her if we can pay as we go or charge it. We only have a short time to try and raise this money or we will have to do the right thing by her and not let her suffer. To humanely euthanize her would be necessary to stop her suffering we cant allow her to suffer with this. The vet agrees with this and belives if we cant come up with a way to raise the money soon we need to make the call to give her peace. I have mixed feelings about this. I started rescue to save cats and always said if they can be saved i will fight until they let me know its time, but in this situation shes so young barely a year old and with the surgery she can lead a normal healthy life. Please if you are able help us to save her. Donations of any amount will get us closer to the goal and are greatly appreciated and needed. No amount is too small. If you can't donate at this time please share. Donations can also be sent thru our PayPal or Venmo.